MARTIN Ackers had a ’near miss with cancer’ in 2013 and the former police officer now spends many hours ‘giving back’ to a local charity.
The 71-year-old is a volunteer driver for Weston Park Cancer Charity as part of the Barnsley Transport Service playing a key role in providing free transport for Barnsley cancer patients taking them to their appointments at the Sheffield hospital.
“My wife Jennifer saw the advert for drivers in a publication for retired police officers and I’m so glad she did.
“I had my own near miss with cancer in 2013 and, thankfully, the hospital sorted me out. I am now able to give back and seem to be getting more and more involved. I have a real interest in the patients and after my Tuesdays as a volunteer driver I come home with a feeling of satisfaction and positivity that you get from the patients.
“There’s a real support network on the bus because the patients are going through the same thing. Two ladies thanked me the other day for taking them to the hospital and I thanked them for brightening my day, it’s a very positive experience and I really enjoy it.”
Martin has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award by Weston Park Cancer Charity Volunteering Team in the Volunteer of the Year category.
The nomination from volunteer officer Sara Bean said: “Martin plays a key role in ensuring our Transport Service provides free, convenient and safe transport for cancer patients from Barnsley to access their appointments at Weston Park Hospital, as well as other Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Martin has been volunteering with the charity since December 2021, when the Barnsley service was initially launched.
“As a retired Police Officer who worked in the Barnsley area for a total of 30 years, providing support to the town’s communities isn’t new to Martin. In his role as a volunteer driver at the charity, he can’t help but go the extra mile to support patients whether by showing them where they need to go within the hospital, checking up on them whilst they have their treatments, or making them a hot drink after their appointment. He is always ready and willing to take on additional journeys or put his name down for more than one day’s driving each week. Additionally, Martin is exceptionally helpful to the Transport Service team at the charity by regularly assisting us to take the vehicles for services, MOTs and repairs.
“In addition to the driving aspect of his role, Martin is also a friendly face at our Charity Hub.
“For Martin himself, the camaraderie he shares with the other volunteers and the reward of meeting such positive people who are going through a difficult time make his volunteering worthwhile. His selfless nature, inner drive to help others and commitment to supporting the people of Barnsley makes Martin the perfect candidate to represent the volunteer driver team for this award as he thoroughly embodies their shared values. Through their volunteering, all our drivers make what is a worrying and difficult time for many into a ‘memory that [passengers] will be able to smile about’.”
Martin said: “I was surprised but happy to hear about the nomination but I see it as recognition for the whole team of drivers.”
